Four transit services in the region will stop effective July 1 — the shuttle buses between Mattapoisett and Fairhaven, Acushnet and Fairhaven, and the Swansea and Somerset shuttles.

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority made the decision "after much review and solicitation of comment from the riding public" and advisory board, according to a post on its website Wednesday.

Siggy Meilus, Bus Riders United organizer, said she is in favor of the SRTA diverting under-used resources to high-demand routes as well as night and weekend service.

"A lot of riders I am in touch with don't use these shuttles much," she said. "I think it's a good move because they can put the funds where it is greatly lacking."

The four shuttles average less than 200 passengers a month as opposed to 25,000 riders in the busy New Bedford-Fall River route. The average cost per rider for the shuttles is "a rather high" $45 to $50 whereas the average bus cost per rider is $6, said SRTA Administrator Erik Rousseau.

The SRTA has been talking about these changes for months, held public meetings, sought customer feedback online and put up posters in bus stops. Given the public outreach, it has heard back from very few shuttle riders, Rousseau said.

For those affected by the axed routes he said, "It's unfortunate but we're trying to find ways to connect them with other transit options."

The canceled shuttles are a part of the organization's ongoing Comprehensive Service Assessment to identify areas for improvement. A preliminary report is expected late August and a final report in October.

"If they are doing it right, it will focus on better serving people in this region," Meilus said.